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This city just doesn’t love laneways quite like it should, developer Michoel Klugmann insists.

“They’re frankly an ignored part of Toronto,” says the principal with Lindvest Properties, which is currently building B.streets Condos on the east side of Bathurst St. just south of Bloor St. W.

All too often, dreary laneway scenes here consist of little more than dumpsters, delivery vans and the odd down-and-outer.

The B.streets Lane Homes — which Klugmann and company recently released for sale — are aimed at injecting more life into the laneway along which they’re being built: Loretto Lane.

The six lane homes, located on the eastern side of the B.streets building, are all two-storey, three-bedroom units with 1,267 square feet and priced at $739,900. (The developer is currently offering no maintenance fees for one year.)

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“They will interact directly with the laneway,” Klugmann explains. “We think we’re going to create a sense of neighbourhood in a place that’s just a little quieter, safer, friendlier — and it will be right off your front porch.”

Each of the lane homes has its own private front entrance and a Loretto Lane address.

“We see these homes appealing to people who love the Annex, people with unique style who want an urbanist feel, and the convenience and amenities of a condo, but away from the bustle of the busy street,” says Klugmann.

The lane homes might also be a good fit for a downsizing Annex homeowner who wants remain in the neighbourhood. “Annex homes, although they’re appealing, have issues with maintenance and age; they require a lot of care and love,” he says. “(Lane homes) have the same feel of an Annex home, but you’re offloading the care.”

With interior design by Cecconi Simone, the B.streets Lane Homes will have 9-foot, 6-inch ceilings on the ground floor and nine-foot ceilings on the second level.

Buyers can choose between two upper level floor plans: one with two bedrooms and a walk-in closet; the other with a bedroom, additional living space, and the option of either a second bedroom or a walk-in closet.

The lane homes back onto Loretto Lane, but each porch area has a privacy screen and latching gate. The porches also come with a barbecue hook-up and hose bib (making entertaining and container gardening a snap!).

The upper level of the lane homes will have a French balcony with sliding doors.

While the lane homes will have dedicated front entrances, residents can enter the main building through a door located at the back of each suite. This will enable lane-home residents to access to all the B.streets amenities (party room, hobby room, fitness room), as well as reach the condo lobby and concierge.

More than two thirds of the condos in the main B.streets building have been sold, and the project is currently under construction. “You can see the cranes flying,” says Klugmann. “We’re well on our way.”

The idea for the lane homes, and for making laneways more inhabitable, was championed from the start by area city councillor Adam Vaughan, Klugmann notes.

“Frankly, without Adam Vaughan’s support we would not have attempted it,” he says. “The city had a hard time understanding (the lane homes concept) at first . . . but Adam told us he’d get behind it and said the community was asking for it. He asked us to give it a shot.”

Klugmann believes the lane homes will indeed succeed in transforming life along Loretto Lane.

“As soon as it becomes a place you go and people gather, as opposed to just passing through, it automatically means people care, because it assumes an identity,” he says.

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